I've been thinking about what making means to me recently, and how important it is. This thoughtful post by Kate of A Playful Day (a blog well worth reading by the way) really struck a chord with me. Kate talks about the "powerful resources" making gives you to show how deeply you care for those around you.

In this age when we are all so poor in time, to take that time to make something (and making really takes time!) is indeed a powerful statement of what that person means to you.

The handmade object becomes such a symbol of love in that relationship, of deep care and thoughtfulness. I love receiving handmade gifts, and I love giving them. I love surrounding myself with these reminders from people who care for me, and even from myself, as a message of how deeply I am loved. And that is what I wish for others too - to know how dearly they are cherished, how special they are. Be it a handmade card to mark the loss of a loved one or a knitted hat to keep ears warm or a squashy wool toy for a tiny little hand, the love is there, the care, the thoughtfulness, the message that someone is important enough to you for you to give that time for them.

Of course making is not the only way to show this by any means, but I am very grateful it is a means I have at my disposal - I am glad to be a maker.